Conversations about health and wellbeing naturally migrate to the mind and body for many of us. But what about the spiritual? There is a spiritual belief inside each of us that drives one’s hope, beliefs, desires, as well as one’s consciousness of past and present events. It’s what makes us unique.
No matter the faith beliefs of an individual; other than one who is an atheist, most faiths beliefs have a spiritual side to them that aids and drives an individual to seek meaning and search for more in their life. From past life issues from unforgiveness, resentment, and even regrets. Many times, at the end of life spiritual issues may arise and need to be resolved, encouraged and some even supported.
According to the World Health Organization, spirituality plays a crucial role in the quality of life. Quality of life is what good-aged care strives to maintain and improve.
How Spiritual Care Improves the Life of the Aged
Spiritual care addresses what’s important to people. It provides non-clinical emotional support and guidance to improve wellbeing. It promotes a positive outlook, encourages engagement in activities that bring joy, and helps people live well in their emotions and bring spiritual comfort despite their circumstances.
Spiritual care is seen as fundamental to the holistic care of the aged. It supports physical and emotional health while reducing the effects of aging on the mind and body.
Spiritual care can be given by staff and volunteers, delivered through personal or group discussions, or educational programs or workshops. It can be provided individually or as a service to a whole community. Spiritual care is a point of contact, which provides the opportunity for a deeper relationship between cares and those who need their help.
Spiritual care is about providing the aged and their families with support, understanding, and hope. Whatever their faith and beliefs, support can be provided to explore, enjoy and share their spirituality. Spirituality and one’s faith beliefs is a powerful and personal part of life. It is important to acknowledge, respect, and be inclusive of the people’s interests, beliefs, and values in our care.
Examples of Spiritual Care in Aged Care
Spiritual care is about helping to discover what matters most to the people we care for. It’s about helping them to explore their own beliefs and values. It can be done through education, pastoral care, or spiritual support.
Spiritual care can be delivered to individuals through religious or spiritual activities, discussion groups, or workshops. It can also be delivered to groups, including aged care facilities, homes, hospitals, hospices, and aged care homes.Spiritual care can be delivered to the individual, the family as a whole and or those who share the same interest spiritually.
Here are examples of how carers can provide spiritual care:
- Offer a place of quiet reflection in a room, garden, veranda or a quiet place.
- Offer to hold a religious practice such as prayer or meditation
- Offer to light an oil lamp or candle
- Share writings, books, or music
- Share ideas or beliefs
- Offer to lead a group prayer
- Offer religious guidance or interpretation
- Offer to attend prayer services together
- Help the person to celebrate an important day in their life
- Help the person to celebrate religious festivals or events with others
- Help the person to attend religious meetings or gatherings
- Help the person to learn about their faith
- Help the person to understand their values and beliefs
Your Hospice Care Team
Spiritual care is about supporting the aged and their families to live well and meaningfully. It provides the opportunity for the aged and their families to reflect on a range of spiritual issues that matter to them and celebrate and participate in the spiritual practices and rituals that are important in their lives.
Golden Rule Hospice provides home hospice care, and our focus is on respecting the dignity and choices of our patients and their caregivers while providing compassionate support. If you need care-at-home services in Atlanta, we can help. Call us at (470) 395-6567 to schedule a free consultation.
We live by the Golden Rule
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.